Relay For Life committee, teams prepare for event

By AMANDA ROGERS Canyon News staff

Published 6:36 am, Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Volunteers with the Canyon Relay For Life committee are gearing up to help “Finish the Fight” against cancer. The event, which raises funds for American Cancer Society, will be held starting at 7 p.m. April 11 at Buffalo Sports Complex on the campus of West Texas A&M University. With just weeks to go until Canyon’s annual Relay For Life event, the committee and teams are working diligently to raise funds for the American Cancer Society.

Teams can be created up to the start of the event, but to get an event T-shirt, teams must register online by March 3 at www.relayforlife.org/canyontx.

“I think it’s important because one person can do a lot, but when you get a bunch of people together you can do so much more. It gives that whole sense of community, which makes it fun and exciting,” said Beth Vizzini, chair of the event. “We want individuals who want to help in any way, as well. We’ll take anyone and everyone who’s willing to help out. If people get together and come out with their friends, team or not, they’re going to have a good time.”

The American Cancer Society’s national campaign features the phrase “Finish the Fight,” which the local RFL event has adopted this year.

“People can follow that theme with boxing or military if they want because that’s always fun to see at the event,” Vizzini said.

Luminaries are available for a $5 donation in memory or in honor of someone who has or is battling cancer. Those luminaries are then lit during a special ceremony the evening of RFL and the names are read aloud.

“It’s a really great way to honor someone who has fought cancer or who is currently fighting cancer. It really makes for a beautiful ceremony when we light those bags when the sun goes down. It’s sad and uplifting at the same time,” Vizzini said. “It’s such a little amount of money for such a great tribute.”

To purchase a luminary, mail the information and money to: Amy Sanchez, 203 N. 15th St., Canyon, TX 79015. They can also be purchased online at www.relayforlife.org/canyontx.

Sponsors are also needed to help put on the event.

“If a vendor or company wants to get their name out there, it’s a good way to do that and it’s helping out a great cause. It’s a way to demonstrate that our local companies care. We will announce our sponsors at the event, and there are several levels from which to choose,” Vizzini said.

Sponsorship funds will underwrite RFL expenses and ensure that funds raised will support the American Cancer Society’s mission in eliminating cancer through research, education, advocacy and patient services. There are several sponsor levels. Gold Level for $1,000 or more includes corporate logo on promotional materials and advertisements, website and participant T-shirts, company banner provided by ACS, company recognition and the opportunity for a company representative to be a part of the opening and closing ceremonies at the event, company name included in press releases, television and radio advertisements and public service announcements, recognition in RFL event program and 10 RFL commemorative T-shirts. The Silver Level is a sponsorship of $500 and includes corporate logo on the back of participant t-shirts, special recognition during event, logo on website, company banner provided by ACS, recognition in RFL event program and five RFL commemorative T-shirts. The Bronze Level is for $250 and includes recognition at opening and closing ceremonies, company name on participant T-shirts, company banner displayed at event provided by ACS, recognition in RFL event program and logo on website. The Banner sponor for $100 includes recognition at opening and closing ceremonies, company banner displayed at event provided by ACS and logo on website. Several in-kind opportunities are also available, including, exclusive Midnight Madness sponsor providing food at midnight for about 200 RFL participants; water sponsor providing water throughout the duration of the event; breakfast Sponsor providing breakfast for about 200 participants; and hardware sponsor supplying the event with a $75 gift certificate to be used for logistical supplies.

The Canyon RFL committee can also be found on Facebook and Twitter. While there are several RFL events in the Panhandle, Vizzini said it’s important that each community come together for the cause.

“My philosophy is that every penny counts. Eventually, we’re going to find a cure. Everyone knows someone touched by cancer, that in itself is really scary,” she said. “The more communities and people we get involved, the better it is and more birthdays we can create.”

Vizzini said another way to get involved to support RFL is to attend the “We Fight Cancer Celebration and Dinner,” which will be held from 6-8 p.m. March 6 at Cole Community Center in Canyon. For more information, contact Jolenna Wright at 676-6593.

“It’s a celebration of our survivors and caregivers and also a kick-off event for the relay,” Vizzini said.

RFL is the largest fundraiser for the American Cancer Society, which uses the money for programs free to the public and research.